Michael Jordan: ‘I Could’ve Beaten LeBron in my Prime’

When reminded that he is on the cover of the game, James referred to Jordan’s comments as good for business.

“Where he’d say this at? Oh, it was for my game? It’s good promotion then,” James said.

Jordan, a six-time NBA champion and five-time MVP, also said that the game was much more physical when he played than it is today.

“You go in with the understanding of, ‘I’m going to get hit. I’m going to pay the price,’” he said. “But that’s part of the game. I’m not going to be afraid to go inside. Those are the types of things that these kids don’t even have a clue of how we had to grow up and how we had to play.”

Jordan has had a sponsorship deal with 2K Sports since 2011, when he first appeared on the cover of the popular game. He shared the cover the next year with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.